Everyone was staring again. I hated that.
Donya laughed loudly. “What a funny joke! Such a clever way to avoid the controversial subject of drug legality, which surely should be saved for a more formal occasion than lunch.”
I sank down farther in my seat. I’d barely even understood their questions. Unfortunately, I understood the part where a dragon might eat me. I wanted to go home.
The next course was beef brisket. The giggling of two maids drew my attention. I looked over in time to see one of them spit into a plate.
I jerked my eyes away as if I’d been the one to do something wrong. The maid placed the spittle-tainted food in front of me.
A delicious smell rose off the beef, but I didn’t take a bite. I suddenly regretted consuming that soup. Given how much everyone in this city hated me, it wouldn’t surprise me if it had been poisoned. At the least, I bet someone had spit in it, too. I felt sick.
Donya frantically gestured at the fork I should use. She didn’t understand the real reason I wasn’t eating. I tried to smile at her, even though I felt terrible. I knew it wasn’t me who everyone hated … but it still felt awful. I pushed around the food on my plate, trying to make it look like I’d taken a bite. At least that was enough to convince everyone else to eat.
The young lady sitting next to Donya asked, “Has Sherda been discussing the team lineup for the next World Games?” From her smile, she was attempting to do as Donya requested and switch from politics to small talk. Unfortunately, this was still a blank to me. I didn’t know the name of a single Sherdan Gifted Knight.
“Nice attempt to trick me into revealing vital political secrets.” I tapped my nose. “I’m not going to squeal like a swine mouth.”
“A what mouth?” She peered at me from behind her fan. “Are those Sherdan words?”
“Yes?” I snuck a glance at Donya.
“Who wants to talk about religion?” Donya asked in desperation.
The subsequent bloodbath fortunately distracted everyone from me.
“That could have gone better,” Donya said as we walked back to my room. “Head Cardinal Augustin thinks I have you under mind control. But he wasn’t upset about it—he thought it was a great idea. He promised me sanctuary if I got caught.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“No, no! I’m the one who should be apologizing to you.” Donya sighed. “Ysabel always … um, I should have realized that you would require more preparation before appearing in public.”
No doubt she’d been about to say that my older sister always had impeccable noble manners. But Ysabel had been taken in by the Church at a young age. We’d had very different upbringings.
“It’s not your fault,” I mumbled. “I should have told you that I couldn’t do it.” I just hadn’t wanted to disappoint Donya by whining too strongly.
“You can’t avoid attending the coronation this afternoon. I’ll try to run interference to keep anyone from talking to you. It’s just, I’ll be so busy with other things during the ceremony … If only I had time to find someone to accompany you.”
“I wanted Araceli to come and protect me from the rest of the Twelve Avengers, remember?”
“And she already knows about the masquerade! Perfect!” Donya smiled. “She’ll need a disguise or everyone will wonder why you brought your personal maid as an escort. I’ll go talk to her.”
Donya left me alone in my bedroom. I sat on my bed and tried not to cry. My dress felt itchy and the gemstones were poking my legs even through all the petticoats. How did the duchess wear this awful thing all day? I felt scared to move for fear a boob might pop out.
When someone knocked on the door, I sprang to my feet. “Give me a moment,” I called. My voice sounded embarrassingly close to tears.
Instead of Araceli, a young male voice called, “This is a delivery for Her Grace. From Falael.”
By the time I rubbed my eyes and opened the door, I found a bouquet of roses lying on the ground. I groaned. Would I have to put up with my ex for my entire stay in this unwanted body?
Rounding the corner, Araceli looked at the bouquet. “The page left them on the floor and ran? I don’t blame him. Last time the duchess was fighting with Falael, she threw his gifts and sometimes heavier items at the poor people who had to deliver them.”
“I’ll feed Falael these roses, thorns and all,” I hissed. At Araceli’s look of surprise, I explained, “He’s my ex. Me in my original body, I mean. He stole a bunch of money from me, then set me up to die by flirtingwith me in front of his jealous, bloodthirsty lover.” I didn’t know why I told her. Perhaps I wanted to get it off my chest to someone. “I can’t stand having him around me constantly. I will scream, I swear it.”
“Do you want help getting rid of him?” Araceli asked. “I’ve had to live with him for a year, and I can’t stand him. He tried to have me executed for accidentally mispronouncing his ‘noble elven name,’ which sounds like a food. I’m only alive because he didn’t recognize me later. He never remembers servants’ faces.”
“That sounds like him. I’m sorry, and I could use help, thanks. What did you have in mind?”
“I’ll pretend to be your lover at the coronation to make him give up.”
